William A. Knowlton

William Allen Knowlton (June 19, 1920 – August 10, 2008) was a United States Army four star general, and served as the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a full general, he served as Commander, Allied Land Forces South East Europe, and as the United States Military Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

His great-grandfather fought in the Civil War and the Indian Wars. His grandfather was a brigadier general in the Spanish–American War. His father served in both world wars, earning a Silver Star in the first and rising to lieutenant colonel in the second. So, he was born into a military family. His daughter Hollister, married David Petraeus who also became a four-star general.[1]

Knowlton was superintendent of West Point from 1970 to 1974, which was the longest post-World War II tenure of a superintendent. While superintendent, West Point won a U.S. Supreme Court challenge from students to its ability to enforce its standards.[2]